Imprinted
Chapter 4
Bella
I felt as though my own bones were trying to pierce my skin. I heard sickening snaps and felt my joints dislocate. I tried to scream, but I had no voice.
Heat coursed through my body, burning me internally. I could only scream in my head as my body tore itself to shreds.
Jacob. I wanted Jacob. I also didn't want him here. Seeing me in pain can only hurt him. I've seen it in his eyes, the sorrow when I broke my leg a year ago. Or the remorse when he himself bandaged my hand when I burned it while cooking. If he felt that over such little things, then if he saw me now, he'll be in pure agony.
I was aware of super cold hands touching my skin. There was the icy sweet scent filling my nostrils again. The smell was choking me. I cringed away from them. There was a final snap, followed by a muted boosh, and I was completely still. I found my breathing was labored. My arms felt nice and warm, as if Jacob was holding me only a second ago. The cold dirt was pressed against my cheek. I felt some part of my body move. I never experienced this part of my body before. I was pretty sure I never even had this. The body part brushed against my leg, startling me into getting up.
Why was I on all fours? I looked down. Why was Edward so puny looking? I looked down at my hands. Where were my hands? Where were my feet? I turned to look when I saw something russett wagging behind me.
Holy crap, was that a tail?!
I was dreaming. I had to be dreaming. I was in bed and this is all a part of my wild imagination. I was probably sleep talking about it right now. Maybe Jacob's hooting with amusement at this strange dream. I closed my eyes and forced myself to awaken.
Nope. I was still outside. With my tail obnoxiously beating my legs.
I ran into the trees, wild in confusion.
I WAS GOING INSANE!!!
No, I'm not going insane!
Then why am I talking to myself?
Oh, great, I am insane!
It's okay, just think happy thoughts.
Happy thoughts?
Yeah, calm down and see if you can phase back.
Okay...
C'mon, Bella, happy thoughts. Count sheep. Sing a lullaby. Use the warmth against your consciousness. Doesn't it feel like a nice, warm, soft blanket that barely made it out of the dryer? Don't you feel like resting on it?
One sheep. Two sheep. Three sheep.
Rockabye, baby...
I gave up. I was awake. I was a wolf. And Jacob-
Jacob.
Jacob? I reached out, searching for his mind. I felt a few sparks, like invisible light warming the inside of my brain. I felt a spark glow in a pattern, like it was saying something. I heard his voice.
Who's out there? I felt you phase. Please, don't be shy. I'll be with you all the way.
Great. He's treating me like a toddler. Oh, well, it might be fun to mess with him a little bit.
Daddy? I'm scared.
A voice I recognized as Embry's echoed in my head.
What the hell-?
I wanna go home. I'm scared, Daddy.
Um... Jacob had no idea how to handle this situation. I mentally roared with laughter.
How old are you, sweetie?
Fowe.
Fowe?
I mentally counted my fingers to the number four, making the hand a toddler's.
I learned to count yesterday, Daddy.
Um... Where do you live?
I won't tell... I sang.
We need to get you back home, sweetie. What's your name?
Um... Shoot. I can't let Jacob know it's me. He'll freak!
Sweetie? What's your name?
Destiny. Destiny? A little cliche, but it worked.
Destiny is a pretty name. Now tell me, where are you?
I won't tell.
Let's play a game, Seth's voice suggested. I admired his calm.
Game?
Yeah! If we get close to you, you yell HOT! And if we're walking away from you, you yell, COLD! Got it!
You're colder than an ice cube.
Good! Now, am I close?
No, you're cold!
They were actually getting closer to me. I backed up a few steps and kept telling them they were in Antartica. They turned and bolted in the other direction, thinking they were where I was. I mentally sighed.
Their excitement didn't last long. They soon figured out I fooled them and they retraced their steps, heading toward me once again.
Ah, um... I stuttered in my head, trying to come up with a reason why I fooled them.
You're not four, are you? Jacob demanded. Sigh.
Fine, you win. I'm actually older than you, and I'm west of you.
You better not run.
Hey, I'm connected to your mind, if that's even possible. Where would I run?
Good point.
Jacob and the pack finally reached me. Through my new eyes, I saw average sized wolves. They all seemed like brothers (and sister) to me now, instead of a bunch of multi-colored wolves. I also felt waves of... what? Electricity? Heat? Small, tiny suns?
Well, I felt strange lights connected to each other through Jacob. I felt connected to Jacob. I also felt a pull towards him. But I ignored that.
Whoa, another girl! Leah cheered.
She looks like you, Jake, Seth whispered.
Dang, she's hot! Crowed Embry.
Shut up! Jacob yelled, his tone layered in Alpha command.
I looked up at him. His eyes met mine, and his widened. But I was floating.
I felt like he was my life vest in a restless ocean. He was keeping me from drowning. I was alive because of him.
I was experiencing imprinting.
Uh, oh was most of the thoughts that circled in our heads.
Jacob was stunned. He had no thoughts. His mind was blank.
About five minutes later, Sam "introduced" me to the rest of the pack, explained what I was, and then explained imprinting. I knew it all by heart, but I passed it off as I was a quick learner.
And Jacob was still struck dumb.
But I knew one thing's for certain. I cannot let him know who I was.
AN: Yay! Oh, and don't worry, Jacob'll know... near the end of this fanfic! *Cackles*